1997 - VALENTINO'S FIRST WORLD TITLE

Today, 19 years ago. Valentino Rossi, riding the Aprilia 125, won his first world title.

A season dominated by Valentino, who won the "eighth-liter" class with 11 wins in 15 races: Malaysia, Spain, Italy, Austria, France, the Netherlands, San Marino, Germany, Brazil, Great Britain, Catalunya and Indonesia.